Portable molding machine



April 21, 1925.

E. O. BEARDSLEY PORTABLE MOLDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

piled in rear of the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER O. BEARDSLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T THE BEARDSLEY & PIPER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PORTABLE MLDTNG MACHINE.

Application filed October 25, 1922. Serial No. 596,722.

To all whom t may oon-ccm Be it known that I, ELMER O. BEARDSLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Molding Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to portable molding machines.

In molding machines of the tractor type, exemplified in Letters Patent No. 1,309,836, dated July 15, 1919, Reissue No. 15,292 dated Feb. 28, 1922 and No. 1,408,796 of March 7, 1922, the sand is supplied to the molding machine on the truck from a pile or windrow on the molding room fioor, the projector is necessarily idle while the machine is being propelled in the reverse direction to the starting end of the moldingr room, because the machine cannot deliver sand to the projector while it is travelling backwardly and it is necessary to replace the pile of sand in front of the machine after the return run is made. The necessity of placement of the sand in t-he path of the machine until after it is returned to the starting point results in a considerable loss of time in the service of the machine.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome this loss of time and to make it possible to turn the machine bodily and horizontally approximately 180, so that the projector can be operated to ll molds and will he supplied with sand from a pile which has been placed behind the machine whilst it is being operated in one direction. This object is attained by providing means for permitting the bodily rotation of the carriage and its reversal. The sand may be machine while it is on a run in one direction, to make sand available for the succeeding tripin the reverse direction. This results in a substantial saving of time and makes it possible to run the machine continuously without delays resulting from idle trips and delays incident to placing sand in a pile in front of the machine.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at-the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of'a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the gearing at the other side. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the lower portion of the machine. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5y of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the lower portion of the machine, parts being shown insect-ion. Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a detail of the connection for the lower end of the spring connection for holding raised the foot of the lifting mechanism.

The invention is exemplified in a structure which comprises a truck mounted upon wheels adapted to travel on tracks in the molding room floor; a molding machine of the projector type which is mounted on the truck; conveying and elevating mechanism for deliverin sand from a longitudinal pile on the floor 1n front of the machine to the projector on the truck; and mechanism for propelling the truck so that it will advance into the pile to keep the projector continuousl supplied with sand.

T ie truck-frame comprises sides l0 and 11 which are rigidly connected together by pipes 12 and 13 which are suitably and fixediy secured to the frame-sides. The'rear of the truck is carried by a pair of tractionwheels 2l having toothed peripheries 22 to engage correspondingly toothed rails 24 which are set into the ioor of the molding room. The front of the truck .is supported by wheels 27 on stud-shafts 28 carried by frame-sides and 11 respectively. The hub of each traction-Wheel- 21 fits over and bears upon one end of pipe 13. A shaft 26 extends through said pipe and is keyed at its ends to the hubs of said traction-wheels so they will be secured together for/conjoint rotation and will propel both sides of the machine equally.

The sand-projector or molding machine illustrated is substantially of the construction exhibited in Patent No. 1,408,493, dated March 7 1922 and comprises a supportingstandard fixed on the truck. a jib 44 pivoted to the standard so as to swing horizontally, an arm pivoted to the outer end of ,the jib 44, so as to swing horizontally relatively thereto, a sand-projector 46, containing a rotor driven by an electric-motor 47 which is mounted to swing with arm 45, aA vibratory conveyor-chute 48 containing s riddle 48a and mounted to swing witlA jib 44, a belt 50 mounted to swing with said arm and for feeding sand from chute 48 to the projector, and a case 49 containing mechanism, including a motor, for vibrating the chute 48, all of which may be of the construction set forth in said patent, to which reference may be had for a more detailed description thereof. This mechanism exemplifies a sand-projector which is mounted on the truck and is movable laterally so as to "discharge sand into all portions of iiasks below the projector at elther side of the track. Standard 35 is secured to pipe 13 by clamps 37 and to a bracket 36 whlch is fixed to pipe 12 by U-bolts 41.

Sand is supplied to the projector from, a pile on the floor ahead of the truck by a cross-conveyor comprising a shaft 58 and spiral blades 54 and 55, 'having lugs 53 adapted to disintegrate the sand in the pile. These screw-conveyors convey the sand inwardly towards the center of the truck. An inclined trough-plate 90 secured to lugs 93 on the frame-sides 'and medially to lugs 98', on a casing 98, cooperates with the screw conveyors to direct the Sand to the center of the truck. An elevator for the sand delivered between the inner ends of screw-conveyors 54, 55 comprises an endless-chain 56 on a sprocket 57 fixed to the conveyor-shaft 58 and a sprocket 59 suitably supported at the upper end of standard 60, and buckets 61 on said chain which scoop the sand from the space between'the blades 54, 55 and dump itinto a guide 62 which delivers .it into conveyorchute 48 on jib 44. This exemplifies mechanism for conveying sand from a vpile in front of the truck and elevating it for delivery to the projector on the truck.

An electric motor 68 is supported by a bracket 19 which is suitably fixed to the truck-frame. This motor drives the crosseonveyor, elevator and the propelling mechanism for the truck. Shaft 58 of the crossconveyors is driven from said motor by a pinion 71 on the motor shaft, a gear 72 meshing with pinion 71 and mounted on a stud 73 carried by frame-side 11, a pinion 74 which'is rigid with gear 72, and a gear 75 meshing with pinion 74 and secured to one end of the shaft 58. The elevator is driven by sprocket 57 which is fixed to shaft 58.- The traction wheels are driven to propel the truck to cause `it to gradually advance into the sand-pile by an eccentric pin 76 fixed on one end of and rotating with shaft 58, a pawl 78 pivoted to and operated by said pin, a ratchet wheel 79 engaged by said pawl, and a pinion 80 which is rigid with ratchet 79 and rotates on a stud 81 on the frame-side 10. Pinion 80 has teeth conforming to the teeth on the traction-wheels 21 and engages one of them, the other being driven through cross-shaft 26. A dog 82 prevents retraction of ratchet 79.

Normally,' the truck runs on l tractionwheels 21 and carrying wheels 27. At the end of a run in one direction over the track, the machine will .be reversed to face in the opposite direction so that it may feed sand from a pile which has been placed on the track behind the machine while it has been making the run in the first direction. To make 1t possible to. reverse the machine, mechanism is provided for lifting the truckwheelsoif Vthe rails so they will clear the Hoor and be free to swing horizontally through approximately 180 to face the machine in the opposite direction. This lifting mech anism comprises a foot orbase 95 which is 2fixed to the lower end of a stem or iston 9.6 which is slidably mounted in the cylinder 97 of a casing 98. This casing is secured to the truck frame by a rod 99 which extends through bracket 36 and by bolts 94 to standard 35. Cylinder 97 and the entire truck are rotatable around the stem 96. The latter is provided with packing 100, so that when fluid under pressure is forced into the cylinder 97, the stem 96 and foot 95 will be forced downwardly until the foot 95 bears upon the floor. Thereafter, the fluid under pressure will lift the cylinder with its casing 98 and the truck with all of the mechanisms mounted thereon, away from the floor until the traction and carrying wheels will clelaar the rails 24 and be free to swing lateral y.

Vare located at the center of gravity of the enti-re machine, so that when it is lifted at that point, all portions of the machine will be elevated sufficiently to clear the floor and permit the entire machine to be turned horizontally. During rotation of the machine, the projector arm 44 will be swung inwardly close to standard 35.

Fluid, such as water or oil for operating the lifting mechanism, is contained in a box 101 which-is secured at 102 to-frame-pipe 13. A hand-pump to force the fluid from the chamber 103 in box 101? into the cylinder 97 comprises a cylinder 104, a piston 105 working in said cylinder, a hand-lever 106 pivoted at 107 to the upper end of the piston 104 and fulcrumed at 108 on a. link 109 which has its lower end pivoted at 110 to the top of the box 101. Fluid from chamber 103 enters the pump-cylinder on its suctionstroke through a check-valve 111, and piston forces the fluid through a duct 112 and pipe 113, into the upper end of the cylinder 97 of the lifting mechanism. A check-valve 114 is included in pipe 113 to prevent backhas been made, the operator will open valve 116 so the iuid in cylinder 97 will flow back through pipe 115 into the chamber 103 in box 101. Valve 116 is kept closed while the pump is being operated to fill the cylinder 97. A spring 117 has its upper end connected to bracket 36 vand its lower end .operate in either direction along a track.

` direction.

to an arm 118 which is pivotally held on stem 96 and lifts the foot 95 clear of the floor when the machine has been lowered so its carrying wheels rest on the track. A collar 119, which is fixed to the stem 96 above arm'118, vertically contines the arm 118 on said stem. A link 120 is pivoted to arm 118 at one end 121 and loosely pivoted to a stud 122 on the trough-plate 90 to turn said arm horizontally with the truck. The loose connection between stud 122 and link 120 permits the arm toriseand fall with foot 95 as the truck is raised or lowered.

The invention exemplifies a molding machine of the tractor type, in which provision is made for lifting it so it may be turned to This is an important feature in machines of this class, because it makes it possible to build up a pile of sand behind the machine while it is, beinggoperated in one direction, so'as to 'hajelgsand available for delivery to the projectorfduring a run inthe opposite `The invleintion is notto be understood as restricted fe the details Sjef, forth, Since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departlng from'the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having, thus, described the invention,

f what I claim 'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a ,machine of the character described. the combination of a truck adapted to travel overa door, a molding machine on the truck, means to feed sand from a pile at the front of the truck when it is facing 1n one direction and mechanism for lifting the truck to clear the floor and permit it to lic-turned horizontally over the floor to render the feed means operable with a pile when the truck is facing in the other direction.

In a machine of the character described, the combination of a truck adapted to be moved over a floor, a molding machine on the truck, mechanism on the truck for conveying sand to said machine, and mechanism for lifting the truck to permit it to be turned horizontally over the floor.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a truck, a molding machine on the truck, a cross-conveyor for sand on the truck, an elevator on the truck 'for lifting sand for delivery to said machine, and mechanism for lifting the truck to permit the truck and cross-conveyor to be turned horizontally.

4. In a' machine of the character described, the combination of a truck adapted to be moved over a floor, means to deliver sand from a pile on the floor while the truck is facing in one direction, means for lifting the truck oil' the Hoor and pivotally sustaining it so it can be turned horizontally to face in opposite directions.

5. In a machine of the character dcscribed, the combination of a truck, a molding machine on the truck, mechanism on the truck for conveying sand to said machine, and means for lifting the truck off the floor and pivotally sustaining it so it can be reversed to face in opposite directions.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of awt/rck, a molding machine on the truck, a cross-conveyor for Sand on thefront ofthe truck, an elevator on the truck for lifting sand for delivery to said machine, and means for lifting the truck off the floor and pivotally sustaining it so it can be reversed to face in opposite directions.

7. In a machine of thc character dei while the machine is facing in the opposite direction.

8. In a machine of the character described, tlhe combination of a track, a truck adapted to run on said track in either direc tion, mechanism on the truck for propelling it over the track, means to feed sand to the machine while the truck is facin in one direction, a molding machine on t e truck, and mechanism for lifting the truck to clear the track and permit the truck to be rotated horizontally to render the feed means operable to receive sand while the machine is facin in the opposite direction.

9. In a mac ine of the character described, the combination of a track, a truck adapted to run onsaid track in either direction, mechanism on the truck for propelling it over the track, a molding machine on the truck, mechanism at the front of the truck for conveying sand to said machine lifting the truck to clear the track and permit it to be turned horizontally to face in.,`

either direction.

10. In. a machine of the character described, the combination of a truck, a molding` machine on the truck, mechanism for "conveying sand to said machine, and mechanism operable by luid under pressure for lifting the truck and permitting it to be turned horizontally.

11. In a machinel of the character described, the combination of a wheeled truck,

a molding machine on the truck, mechanism n the truck for conveying sand to said machine, and mechanism operable by Huid under pressure for lifting the truck to permit it to bc turned horizontally.

12. In a machine of the character 'described, the combination of a truck adapted to travel over a Hoor, a molding machine on the truck, a foot, a piston and cylinder to one of which the foot is connected, and

means for forcing fluid under pressure into the cylinder to lift the truck relatively to the foot, so the truck may be turned.

13. In a machine of the character de-v scribed, the combination ot a truck adapted to travel over a floor, a molding machine on the truck, mechanism on the truck for conveying sand to said machine, a foot, a piston and cylinder to one of which the foot is connected, and means on the truck for forcing fluid under pressure into the cylinder to lift the truck relatively to the foot.

14. In a machine of the character described, the` combination of a truck adapted to travel over a floor, a molding machine on the truck, mechanism on the' truck for conveying sand to said machine, a foot, a piston andcylinder to one of which the foot is connected, a pump on the truck for forcing fluid lunder pressure into the cylinder to lift the truck relatively to the foot, and mechanism for controlling the Huid back and forth between the cylinder and the pump.

15. In a machine of the character 'described, the combination of a truck, a molding machine on the truck, mechanism on the truck for conveying sand to said machine, lifting mechanism for the truck, comprising a foot, and means for holding the foot raised above the floor.

16, In a machine of the character described; the combination of a truck adapted to travel over a floor, a molding machine on thc truck, mechanism on the truck for conveying sand to said machine, lifting mechanism for thc truck comprisinga piston and a cylinder, a pump for supplying fluid under pressure to and from the cylinder, a foot connected to one of the elements of the lifting mechanism, and means for holding the foot in raised position above the vfloor.

1T. In a machine of the character described. the combination of a truck adapted to travel over the floor, a moldin machine on the truck, mechanism on the truck for Vconveyingl sand to said machine, lifting mechanism for the truck comprising a foot, and a spring for holding the foot raised above the floor.

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a truck adapted to travel over a floor` a molding machine on the truck, mechanism on the truck for conveying sand to said machine, lifting mechanism comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, a foot, the cylinder and piston being' relatively rotatable to permit the truck to turn horizontally`l a pivoted arm pivotally connected to the piston, and means to cause the arm to rotate with the truck.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a truck adapted to travel over a floor, a molding machine on the truck, mechanism on the truck for conveying sand to said machine, lifting mechanism comprising a cylinder fixed to the truck, a piston in the cylinder, a foot secured to the piston. the cylinder and piston being relatively rotatable to permit the truck to turn horizontally, an arm pivotally connected to the piston. a spring` for lifting the foot connected to said arm, and means to cause the arm to rotate with the truck. A

Signe-d at Chicago`- Illinois, this 25th day of September, 1922.

ELMER O. BEARDSLEY. 

